West Ham looked as if they had secured their Premier League safety a couple of weeks ago after they went on a four game winning run. However, having lost each of their last two games, the Hammers sit in 12th place and are only six points above the relegation zone - so they will be determined to at least get something from this game to ease any lingering doubts over their top flight status.

Manchester United have managed to bounce back from their comprehensive defeat to Liverpool by overturning a two goal deficit against Olympiakos to qualify for the Champions League quarter-finals. So the pressure may have been eased on David Moyes a little during a big period for the Manchester United boss - as the derby against Manchester City follows this match in midweek. They currently sit in seventh place, three points behind Everton having played a game more.

On the injury front, after spending much of the season struggling with injuries, West Ham don't have that many. Marco Borriello will miss out with a calf problem whilst Joey O'Brien isn't expected to return until next month as he continues to recover from a dislocated shoulder.

For Manchester United, there are question marks over the fitness of Robin Van Persie who was stretchered off during the Champions League win over Olympiakos - which is a big blow as it was after the Dutchman had scored the hat-trick to send his side through to the next round. Chris Smalling could miss out with a hamstring problem, and whilst Nani has returned to training after a hamstring injury, the derby with City may be a more realistic target for him to return rather than this weekend. Jonny Evans could return this weekend after a calf problem whilst Nemanja Vidic is suspended after he was sent off for two bookable offences against Liverpool.

Key stats

Here are the two team's top scorers in the Premier League so far this season:

Name

Team

Pos

Goals

Apps

Mins

Wayne Rooney

Man Utd

FW

11

24

2,026

Robin van Persie

Man Utd

FW

11

18

1,466

Danny Welbeck

Man Utd

FW

9

19

1,182

Kevin Nolan

West Ham

MF

7

25

2,053

Carlton Cole

West Ham

FW

6

19

761

Joe Cole

West Ham

MF

3

15

663

Mohamed Diamé

West Ham

MF

3

26

1,753

Adnan Januzaj

Man Utd

MF

3

22

1,328

Their average possession statistics:

Name

Possession Percentage

Played

Manchester United

54.93

29

West Ham United

41.45

29

And the amount of clean sheets the two sides have kept:

Name

Clean Sheet

Played

West Ham United

13

29

Manchester United

10

29

5 players to watch

Andy Carroll - Carroll registered his first goal in the Premier League this season last weekend against Stoke City, and is likely to be the key man at the head of the West Ham attack. He gave United a tough time of it in the same fixture last season. Can he put in a similar performance this weekend?

Phil Jones - Jones didn't have the best of games last weekend against Liverpool and with a few injury worries and suspensions at centre back, there's going to be a lot of responsibility on his shoulders once again. He had a better game against Olympiakos in midweek but he will face a very different threat this weekend up against Sam Allardyce's side.

Kevin Nolan - If Carroll's one to watch, then Kevin Nolan is another as they seem to combine well, and they can be quite productive for the Hammers. The question is whether they can produce this weekend and get West Ham back to winning ways.

Danny Welbeck - Gary Neville was full of praise for Welbeck, and talked at length about his willingness to get in and behind the opposition's defence. You would think he has earned a starting place this weekend after a pretty effective performance in the Champions League in midweek.

Mark Noble - The midfield has been regarded as one of Manchester United's weak links so West Ham will be looking to Noble to exert some control in the middle of the park, and exploit their weaknesses. Can he take control of proceedings at the weekend?

Earlier on in the season

Manchester United 3-1 West Ham, December 2013

It was one of the more dominant performances from Manchester United under David Moyes at Old Trafford against a struggling West Ham side. Danny Welbeck opened the scoring just after the midway point of the first half. The impressive Adnan Januzaj doubled the home side's lead after playing a one-two with Welbeck, and then finished well. Ashley Young curled in a terrific effort for the home side 20 minutes from time to make sure of the win, but the visitors manage to get a goal back through Carlton Cole after being put in the clear, and he calmly slotted the ball into the net.

Ian Bolland

A journalism graduate of Liverpool John Moores University. During his time at university, Ian spent time on work experience at local newspapers in Liverpool, Bolton and Wigan, and prior to that he did work for The Observer's 'fans verdict'. Ian also has interests in news, current affairs and business but mostly sport, including football, rugby league, cricket, golf and Formula 1, amongst others.